So glad to hear what you have been up to Larry. You went through such a scary time and I am glad to see you are back on the bike.

As for me I am out of the ankle brace and have slowly gotten back into my routine. Biking has been an easier and faster recovery then walking was, and I can forget jogging anytime soon as I need to restrengthen my hip....but I am back! I did my first Sufferfest since the incident and got outside for the first time (in February it was in the mid 70s! Perfect bike riding weather). I am slower and less strong then I was but I am getting there!

Long overdue, welcome back Larry. Great you are getting pure pleasure from cycling.

Marina, glad the injury is improving.

Things have been a little rough these pasts weeks especially in the morning. Hard manoeuvering out of bed. Seems the nervous system is slow to wake up. Still getting the swim workouts in, though. Have also started Feldenkrais method. Had 2 sessions and will continue. A whole different way of working the nervous system. Using thought control combined with subtle movement. Cautiously optimistic but it is not a quick fix. Will keep you posted.

The weather is really starting to warm up now, and we'll hit the 70s this week. I've been getting out on my bike regularly, putting in 10-14 miles on average per ride. I'm also mixing in gym visits, exercising to videos at home with Laura, and taking my off-road wheelchair out for "hikes." One of the hardest parts of training for me: not exercising. Since I use my arms heavily, I really have to force myself to give them a break, but it's a smart thing to do.

The bane of my existence is that I cannot get my trike outside by myself without exerting A LOT of energy. Its heavish and since we have a single door I have to pick it up and tilt it to get it outside.

Thats OK on days when I for sure want to be outside or inside but awful on days like today when it was supposed to be in the 50s when Steve (my trike handler) left for work so he set me up in the trainer. But now its 70 and beautiful out and I want to be outside. I have been complaining about this issue for the 3 + years that I have owned my trike (almost 4 I guess!) and Steve has had it hearing me whine about it.

Inevitably I will go down the "I wish I rode a regular bike/didn't have MS" death spiral and that never leads to anything good. Steve has been pushing for me to get a 2nd 700 for awhile, so one could always be set up to ride outside.

Well I finally gave in, and bit the (financial) bullet and have purchased a 2nd Catrike 700. It should be here in 2-3 weeks. No more nice days stuck inside or days that were supposed to be nice but ended up rainy so I don't get to ride for me! It feels quite self indulgent, but I finally gave in to it.

Ohhh, Maricanda, that sounds wonderful to have a second trike. Tell me more about your purchase...I have been eyeing different ones and haven't found a place that has ones to try out in my area. How did you select your first trike? My husband is doing the MS 150 again this year, and I would love to train with him (and eventually do the race) for next year. It takes so many hours on the road and Saturday races, that it would be neat to be able to do it with him.....
Proud of you for indulging... enjoy!

Marina: You go, girl! What a hoot that you got a second Catrike! I completely understand the dilemma as I have been in the same situation. And now you and your husband can have races!! (That is, if you're gonna share....)

I am happy that I have been bumping up my upperbody exercises.....still have to get a better rhythm to when I do them, but having the blowflex so easy to access has been great. Started working on increasing my rowing...a great exercise for me to just warm up quickly. In general, I am just starting to finally get into the morning exercise routine that I gather many of you are into. It never was my thing, but with the exercise room all set up and calling out to me daily, it is becoming more of an addiction to me. Still have a way to go on getting this integrated into my life, but it feels really good. And today I spent a good few hours ( taking BIG breaks..) in shoveling off my deck that was covered with the 21" or so of snow that we got at the start of the week. I didn't need to shovel it....deck is secure enough that the snow didn't threaten the integrity of the structure, but I just FELT LIKE getting out there and accomplishing this. Gave me a very good cardio and upper body workout...actually gave me THREE good workouts... I haven't shoveled that much snow in too long a time....Very soul satisfying time for me. And glad that no one saw me as it wasn't always a very graceful, pretty sight!

Veronica, right there with you on the snow shoveling. Great exercise!!! 21 inches is a LOT OF SNOW! Any snow shoveling is always more than enough exercise for one day for me.

Suebee, get the trike, everybody needs one!

Marina, two is better!!!

Off shortly to climb one of the "start of season" hills. Did this one last Tuesday but had a big tail wind that made the hill a lot easier than it really is. Today should be more realistic, expecting a lite head wind. The hill is about 5 miles long with about 1500 feet of ascent.

Used to be 15 mph winds with 30 mph gusts were known as WINDY around here, now those are referred to as "breezy" thanks to the high winds that have been sweeping the country this year!!!